The Cincinnati Reds are on the brink of making history after reducing their playoff magic number to just one with a crucial victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on September 27.
The team stands one step away from securing the final National League wild-card berth. If they make it, it’ll be their first postseason appearance in a full season in over a decade.
With momentum on their side and the tiebreaker advantage over the New York Mets, the Reds have a real shot to clinch a playoff berth in dramatic fashion. They’ve never pulled this off on the final day of a full regular season—so yeah, it’s a big deal.
The Playoff Picture: Reds in Control
Only one game remains in the regular season, and the Reds hold all the cards. They can clinch their spot with either a win over the Brewers on September 28 or a Mets loss to the Miami Marlins.
Right now, Cincinnati is tied with the Mets for the third and final wild-card slot. Thanks to the tiebreaker, the path is clear—just one good result and they’re in October baseball.
Why This Moment Matters
This would be the Reds’ first full-season playoff berth since 2013. A long drought like that leaves a mark, and you can feel the weight of it among fans and players.
Clinching on the final day would be a first for the franchise. That’s the kind of thing people remember around here.
Breaking the Brewers’ Hold
The way the Reds got here is worth a mention. Their recent wins over Milwaukee snapped a wild 13-series losing streak to the Brewers, a frustration that stretched all the way back to August 2022.
Those wins fueled their playoff push and showed they can step up against one of the NL’s toughest teams. Honestly, that kind of timing isn’t easy to come by.
Emilio Pagán’s Clutch Closing
Closer Emilio Pagán has anchored the Reds’ surge, locking down his third save in as many days during the latest win. He talked about the electric atmosphere in the clubhouse—guys are clearly loving the pressure of meaningful September games.
That late-season adrenaline might be what pushes the Reds over the finish line. Or maybe not. But you can tell they’re feeling it.
The Road Ahead
Milwaukee, despite these losses, still snagged the No. 1 overall playoff seed in the National League. If Cincinnati locks in their berth, they’ll face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild-card round.
If they somehow get past LA, the Philadelphia Phillies are waiting in the Division Series. That’s not exactly a cakewalk, but it’s October, right?
Shades of 1999
Reds fans with long memories can’t help but think back to 1999. That year, Cincinnati finished tied with the Mets and had to play a one-game playoff in Milwaukee.
The Reds lost that game—a tough one to swallow. Maybe this year, things finally go their way.
Manager Francona’s Praise
Manager Terry Francona has kept the energy high all September. He’s praised the team’s resilience, especially their run of nine wins in the last 12 games.
His message? Embrace the moment, lean into the pressure, and let these high stakes pull out their best baseball. That’s what October’s all about, isn’t it?
Key Takeaways for Reds Fans
The Reds are staring down a rare and honestly pretty wild opportunity. Fans, if you’re paying attention, here’s what matters right now:
- They just need a win on September 28—or, if you’re feeling nervy, a Mets loss does the trick too.
- This could be their first time making the playoffs in a full season since 2013. That’s a long wait.
- They’ve got the tiebreaker over the Mets, which is a nice little insurance policy.
- Snapping a 13-series losing streak against Milwaukee? That finally happened, and it felt overdue.
- If they make it, they’ll probably face the Dodgers or Phillies right out of the gate. No easy road here.
Will Cincinnati pull this off with a win, or will Mets fans hand it to them? Either way, the tension is real. For a franchise with so much history, chasing a playoff spot on the last day just hits different. Reds Country isn’t looking away—not until that final pitch, anyway.
Here is the source article for this story: What’s left for Cincinnati Reds to do on final day to earn MLB’s last playoff spot
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